Looking for information about Tour Operators in Uganda? Well read on. Uganda is a small and landlocked country but still one of the best countries to go to for a safari in Africa. Uganda is blessed with incredible biodiversity, good weather, friendly people and amazing wildlife. Uganda has the largest population of mountain gorillas and is also the best country to track chimpanzees in Africa.
The main activities while on a safari in Uganda include gorilla trekking, visiting the equator crossing, general wildlife viewing (including all the big 5), chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, visiting the source of the river Nile, whitewater rafting, launch/boat cruises, nature walks, cultural/Community tour, city tours, mountain hiking and observing amazing waterfalls just to mention a few.
Before booking your safari, it is important to plan ahead and do some research regarding things like visa applications, immunization requirements and the security situation in the country. Your plan must also include the tour operator you will be using to help you put everything together. The tour operators have great knowledge about the places you would be visiting. Tour companies in Uganda will help with booking gorilla permits, park entrance fees, visas (where applicable), flights and travel insurance. They can also help you with booking accommodations, arranging transport, booking other activities and meals. Tour companies will let you know what is required to make your safari as comfortable as possible.
Even if you are planning on making your own bookings, tour operators can still be helpful. If you plan on going for a self-drive or have booked your own hotels, the tour operator can help you get gorilla permits or hire you one of their cars.
Note: Using the services of a tour operator is more expensive but the chances of making a mistake as a result of your limited knowledge of the country are limited. With a tour company managing your trip, you don’t have to worry about hidden expenses like park fees. You don’t need to be stressed with making numerous bookings in a country you are not familiar with. Your only task is to show up. So which are the best tour operators in Uganda?
List of Tour Companies in Uganda
It is important to note that listing tour operators and sharing their contact details doesn’t mean a complete recommendation on our side – especially in regard to quality of services offered. After listing the tour companies, we have also shared several factors to consider before choosing a tour operator in Uganda in the last paragraphs. The companies we will be listing are genuine and will do the job. You can also check out the list of tour operators in Rwanda.
Wild Uganda Safaris: Wild Uganda Safaris is a leading tour company in Uganda. They also organize trips to Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania and Kenya. Their website is https://www.wildugandasafaris.com/.
Gorilla Tours Africa: If you are planning for the ultimate gorilla trekking experience, you might want to consider booking with Gorilla Tours Africa. They also organize general wildlife safaris in Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania and Kenya. Their website is https://www.gorillatoursafrica.com/ while email is inquiries@gorillatoursafrica.com.
Kori Safaris: Kori organizes general wildlife safaris in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. You can contact them using the number +256701600600. Their email is info@korisafaris.com while their website is https://www.korisafaris.com.
Africa Tours Adventure: Though based in Uganda, Africa Tours Adventure has over 5 years experience managing safaris in East Africa. +256782186562 is their number while https://www.ugandagorillassafari.com/ is their website. If you prefer communication by email, write to info@ugandagorillassafari.com and find what they have to say.
Insight Safari Holidays: Insight puts together tours in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Congo. They are a trusted company with over a decade of experience. You can contact them using the number +256392613687. Their website is https://www.insightsafariholidays.com/.
AA safaris and tours Ltd: Located in Old Kampala (along Martin road), AA Safaris is a great tour company to select for your adventure in Uganda. They not only organize wildlife safaris but also cultural tours throughout East Africa. Their email address is info@aasafaristours.com and the website is https://www.aasafaristours.com/.
Kabiza Wilderness: Kabiza is one of the leading tour operators in Uganda. They are experts in gorilla trekking and wildlife safaris. You can contact them using the number +256-774-785-852 or their website https://kabiza.com/.
Kagera Safaris: Kagera organizes Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, birding and general wildlife safaris throughout East Africa. Their email is info@kagerasafaris.com while the website is www.kagerasafaris.com. You can also contact them using the number +256-392-176513.
Africa Adventure Safaris: Located in Lubowa, African Adventure Safaris is a popular tour company in Uganda with offices in Rwanda and other East African countries. You can contact them using the email info@rwandagorillassafari.com or visit their website www.rwandagorillassafari.com.
Other tour companies in Uganda
Katona Tours and Travel: Katona tours can be contacted using the number +256774161700. The email is info@katonatours.com while the website is http://www.katonatours.com/.
Wild Whispers Africa Ltd: Contact Wild Whispers using the number +256312107945 or +256793503426. Their website is www.wildwhispersafrica.com while the email is info@wildwhispersafrica.com.
Abacus African Vacations: They are located along Mobutu Road in Makindye, Kampala. Their email is info@abacusvacations.com while the phone number is +256-772-331322. More information can be got from their website www.abacusvacations.com.
Volcanoes Safaris: Volcanoes Safaris is not only a tour company but also a hospitality leader. They have hotels in Uganda and Rwanda offering quality services. They organize tours in both Uganda and Rwanda. Their website is www.volcanoessafaris.com. You can also send an email to salesrw@volcanoessafaris.com or sales@volcanoessafaris.com.
Things to Consider when choosing a tour operator in Uganda
After listing the tour operators in Uganda, it is time to discuss the main factors to consider choosing your favorite: –
Safety precautions in place: The company must be able to ensure that their clients are safe throughout the tour. If the company is not offering travel or medical insurance, it should make it known to the travelers and suggest good insurance providers. The company must also alert the travelers about any security incidences in the country and any safety precautions while traveling to the different parts of the country (including major cities). The company Guide/Driver is the security focal person and responsible for ensuring that the personal belongings of clients are safe at all times.
Company Website: The tour operator in Uganda must have a functioning website with complete information about their services and their location. The company must state its motivation for doing business clearly and have a link to their Terms/Conditions of service.
Social Media: Apart from an official website, a good tour company in Uganda should have a social media page to reach out to clients. Social media pages like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest contain current information that might not be found in the official website. It may also be the place to look out for feedback from past clients.
Ownership: The choice between using a local tour company in Uganda and an international brand is up to the traveler. Whereas international tour companies are thought to guarantee quality, they are also more expensive. In fact, most of the international tour companies will still contact a local tour operator to organize their tours. Choosing a local tour operator in Uganda is one way of supporting the local people and empowering them. Moreover, most of the local tour operators also offer high quality services but at a lower cost. The decision is up to you.
Reviews and Reputation: The Reputation of a company can easily be known by visiting review sites like Safari bookings, Google review or TripAdvisor. These tools are used by past travelers to describe their experience with the tour operator. Traveler reviews will give you a hint of what to expect with the tour operator. After describing their experience, most travelers give a rating of between 0 to 5 stars. Look out for the overall ratings and not an individual review. It is not uncommon to see bad reviews written about a company from competitors. An average rating of between 4 to 5 is good enough. If you are not satisfied with the information gathered from these review sites, ask the tour operator to share contacts of clients who traveled with them in the past (If possible from clients who are citizens of your country).
Communication with the Company: How frequent is the communication with the company? A good tour company in Uganda will answer your first inquiry as soon as possible. The company should not only respond in a timely manner but with correct information. If a company responds to your emails after several days, it may mean that they are not serious in what they do. The company should be prompt in responding to your queries even after making payments.
Local Tour Associations: Many of the good tour operators in Uganda are members of some kind of association. Membership to these organizations makes it easy to raise complaints in case you are dissatisfied with a service. However, remember that membership to these organizations do not guarantee quality services. There are also companies who choose not to register with these organizations because of internal politics and management. International Travel companies may also not be party to these Tour operator organizations.
Accommodation facilities offered: Your tour operator should be able to offer you the best accommodation facilities in each category. By this we mean the best budget hotels if you are traveling on budget. The same standards should be applied to mid-range and Luxury travelers. Before booking with the tour operator, request for links to the hotels you would be using and check out their websites or what other travelers say about them.
Officer Drivers/Guides: It is often said that the tour Guide/Driver can make or break a trip. Check out reviews of the company and see what other travelers say about their company drivers. If you see several good reviews about a specific driver, request the company to assign you that one. A good Guide/Driver is one who is pleasant, knowledgeable and experienced.Excellent Guides will share information about the country/destination and go out of their way to ensure that your trip is memorable.
The Itinerary: A good tour company in Uganda will propose or recommend the perfect itinerary based on your interests and the number of days set aside for the tour. If you are not familiar with all the tourist attractions in Uganda, see what other tour operators are offering to know if there are other things you might be interested in. If you are not sure of what to do in Uganda, the tour operator must work with you to come up with activities that you like. The tour operator can only recommend activities and leave you to make the final decision on what to do.
Cultural Aspects: Before choosing the tour company to use for your safari, ensure that the itinerary also includes cultural encounters. Uganda is an amazing country with over 40 tribes. You don’t want to show up just to see the wildlife because there is so much to experience in Uganda. You can request to visit one of the indigenous tribal groups like the Batwa or the Karamojong. There are also high-end cultural centers where you can learn about the history of the country and buy amazing art.
Overall cost of the tour: When choosing a tour operator in Uganda, consider the overall price of the tour and what other companies are offering –especially if you are traveling on budget. Remember that some companies may offer lower prices but compromise on quality. Choose a company that offers a good price but that can guarantee quality. Before accepting any offers, check and see what is included or not included in the overall price of the tour.
Group Size: If you are planning to have a private tour with only spouse or family, ensure that the tour operator can provide that. Group tours are more ideal for lone travelers or those who want to meet new people and have fun. If you want a private tour, ensure that the company can provide you with your own car and driver. If you wish to join a group, ensure that the tour company can find you a group to join on the days you plan to do the tour. You should be frank with your tour operator and find out if you can be given a group that you are comfortable with. Teens may wish to join a group of younger travelers while seniors may prefer older travelers.
Method of Payment: The tour company must be able to provide you with at least two payment methods. Every tour company must provide the option of paying by credit card and also using an official bank account. Sending many through Western Union, Money Gram or World Remit is only recommended if you already know the tour company and there is trust. All payment methods must be secure.
Banking Information: Registered tour operators must have a bank account in their company name. Ensure that you send money only to a company bank account. Having a bank account in their company name is a strong indication that the company is registered.
Giving back to the Community and Eco-tourism: If you wish to give back to the community or support wildlife conservation, choose a tour company that shares your values. Check to see what the tour company is doing for the community or wildlife conservation. Does the company use part of its profits to improve the lives of communities in the country? Do they support wildlife conservation programmes or Eco-tourism? Choosing a company that supports the community or wildlife conservation is an indirect way of ensuring that your money does good to society.
